Actuator element for levering in and out printed circuit modules with locking slide, front element for a printed circuit module with actuator element, and subrack that receives printed circuit modules

ABSTRACT

An actuator element for levering in and out printed circuit modules. The actuator element has an end piece that is adapted to be linked with a printed circuit module an actuator lever. The actuator lever is rotatably mounted on the end piece and has at least one handle part and one locking slide that can be slid between at least two switch positions. The locking slide, in a first switch position, retain the actuator lever in a first position that corresponds to a fastened state of the printed circuit module, and releases the actuator lever in a second switch position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an operating element, by which printed circuitboard modules with electronic circuits can be levered into a supportsystem, or removed therefrom, with little application of force.

2. Description of Related Art

Similar operating elements have been employed and are known in variousembodiments. A widely used embodiment of such an operating element istaught by European Patent EP 0 330 957 B1. It is called a plug-in andremoval aid and is part of a front system for plug-in modules which canbe pushed into a module support. The plug-in and removal aid has alever, which is rotatably seated on an end piece. An operator canoperate the plug-in and removal aid with the lever and can effect thelevering in or out of the plug-in modules by appropriate pivoting. Toachieve these movements, the lever has a groove, the outer edges ofwhich are designed as protrusions. During the levering in or leveringout movement, the protrusions are supported on corresponding edges ofthe module support, in particular on transverse connecting rails of themodule support.

In particular uses, printed circuit board modules which are plugged intoa module support can be subjected to special stresses caused byunfavorable environmental conditions. For example, it is possible toapply shaking moments to a component support from the outside. In such acase it is possible for printed circuit board modules which are pluggedinto the module support to loosen and for the electrical contacts attheir plug connectors to be at least partially interrupted. To avoidthese problems it is known to design the lever pull handles attached toa front system of a printed circuit board module so they can be locked.A front system for printed circuit boards having such lockable leverpull handles is described in PCT International Application havingPublication Number WO 98/34449. A locking slide is seated in theinterior of the lever pull handle there, which locks and secures thelever pull handle, and thus the front system and the printed circuitboard module, in a position in which they are pushed into the modulesupport. Release, and therefore the opening of a possibility of takingthe printed circuit board module out of the module support, such aslevering it out, is only possible after operating the integrated lockingslide. During this the problem occurs that for unlocking the lockingslide it is necessary to exert a pressure force from above on the leverpull handle. This is economically disadvantageous and can limit a rapidunhampered operation of the lever pull handle.

A similar arrangement is described by German Utility Model DE 298 23 122U1. An additional, spring-operated bolt is integrated into the leveringin and levering out handle. The bolt locks the levering in and leveringout handle in a rear end position of the plug-in module, whichcorresponds to a state where it is inserted into the module support. Inthis arrangement the bolt is also used for operating, or releasing, aswitching element integrated into the levering in and levering outhandle

This switching element is used for an active-passive switching of theplug-in module. In this case the plug-in module is switched to passivewith the operation of the bolt. The problem, that the operation of thebolt requires a pressing force to be exerted from above, also occurswith this arrangement. This is ergonomically disadvantageous and canlimit a rapid unhampered operation of the lever pull handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of this invention is to provide an operating element forprinted circuit board modules, in particular one into which aspring-operated bolt is integrated, so that it is easier to operate.

This object is attained with the operating element described in thisspecification and the claims. One embodiment of this invention relatesto a front system for a printed circuit board module having at least oneoperating in accordance with this invention, and other embodimentsrelate to a printed circuit board module with an appropriate frontsystem and to a module support with an appropriate front system.

The operating element in accordance with this invention has an endpiece, which is prepared for being connected to a printed circuit boardmodule, and an operating lever. The operating lever is rotatably seatedon the end piece and has at least a handle element and a locking slide,which can be displaced between at least two switching positions. In thiscase, in a first switching position the locking slide maintains theoperating lever in a first position, which corresponds to the levered instate of the printed circuit board module, and releases the operatinglever in a second switching position.

Such an embodiment has one advantage that the operation of a lockingslide,in particular one accessible on the top of the handle element, isconsiderably simplified.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention is explained in greater detail in view of the drawingfigures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective lateral view of one embodiment of an operatingelement in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a lateral plan view of a front system for a printed circuitboard module, having an operating element in accordance with thisinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 represent a lateral view of one embodiment of an operatingelement 1 in accordance with this invention, used for levering in and/orlevering out a printed circuit board module 3. As basic elements, theoperating element 1 has an end piece 11, which is prepared to beconnected with a printed circuit board module, and an operating lever12, which is rotatably seated on the end piece 11. In accordance withthis invention, the operating lever 12 has at least a handle element 122and a locking slide 123 which can be displaced between at least twoswitching positions A and B. In a first switching position A, theoperating lever 12 is maintained in a first position C, whichcorresponds to the levered in state of the printed circuit board module3. This position is represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. But in a secondswitching position B, the operating lever 12 is released by the lockingslide 123. The operating lever 12 can then pivot, or be pivoted, into asecond position D. Such a tilted position can correspond to the statewhen the printed circuit board module 3 is levered out of the modulesupport. In FIG. 1 the positions C and D of the operating lever 12 arerepresented by an arrow P2, and the switching position A and B by anarrow P1.

It is advantageous if the operating lever 12 also has an element 121 forlevering in and/or levering out, which is at least partially of awear-resistant material. This is connected with the handle element 122and advantageously has a levering in protrusion 1210, as well as alevering out protrusion 1211. For causing a levering in, or levering outof the printed circuit board module 3, the levering in and/or leveringout element 121 is supported on the module support. In the examplesrepresented in FIGS. 1 and 2, a lower transverse connecting rail 4 isshown by way of example as a portion of a module support. It has aperforated rail 401 with a series of engagement holes. When levering in,the levering protrusion 1210 is supported in an engagement hole of theperforated rail 401, as represented in FIG. 2, while when levering out,the levering out protrusion 1211 is supported on the front face 402 ofthe perforated rail 401.

The end piece 11 of the operating element 1 which, by way of example, isshown in a perspective rear view in FIG. 1 and in a lateral view in FIG.2, has a support body 110 in its core. The support body 110 has a bore1101, which can be used for fastening to a printed circuit board module3, for example with a screw. The end piece 11 has a contact pin 1102which, when a printed circuit board module having an appropriateoperating element is inserted, provides a ground contact between theelements. A holding screw 111, which can engage a transverse groove 400of the transverse connecting rail 4, can be provided in the support body110 for holding a unit inserted into a module support, for example aprinted circuit board module with an attached front system having afront plate and preferably two operating elements 1 at the ends. Thesupport body 110 has a bore 1105. A rotary shaft 13 can be inserted intothe bore 1105, by which the operating lever 12 can be rotatablymaintained on the support body 110. The rotary shaft 13 cansimultaneously be located in a bore 1212 of an additional levering inand levering out element 121. In this case all parts of the operatinglever 12 are connected via the rotary shaft 13 with the end piece 11.Furthermore, a holding groove 1104 for pushing in the lower end of afront plate 2, represented in part, is advantageously provided. Finally,on its side facing the operating lever 12, the support body 110 has adetent protrusion 1103. A corresponding, preferably resilient detentdisk 1222 of the operating lever 12 can engage the detent protrusion1103 when the lever is in the locked-in position.

A switching element 112, in particular a microswitch, can be integratedinto the end piece 11 of the operating element 1. The functioning ofsuch a switching element 112, for example is described by EuropeanPatent EP 0 832 547. The locking slide 123 and the switching element 122are matched to each other so that in the first switching position A thelocking slide 123 also activates the switching element 112.

In accordance with this invention, the operating lever 12 of theoperating element 1 shown in the example of FIG. 1 has a handle element122 and a levering in and/or levering out element 121. In this case thehandle element 122 has a bore 1223, the levering in and/or levering outelement 121 has a bore 1212, and the end piece 11 has a bore 1105. It ispossible to conduct a rotary shaft 13 through all bores in such a waythat the operating lever 12 is rotatably seated on the end piece 11.With a rotation it is possible to cause the levering in of a printedcircuit board module 3, connected with the end piece, into a modulesupport, or a levering out of the module support.

The handle element 122 has a handle head 1220, which permits an operatorto grasp it manually. With the additional transverse bore 1221 at thefront end of the handle head 1220, adjacently located handle elements122 of several operating elements which arc attached to various printedcircuit board modules can be mechanically connected so that theirsynchronous movement is possible. FIG. 1 shows the handle element 122 ina position corresponding to a state of the printed circuit board module3 when it is levered into a module support. The handle element 122 isalso locked together with the end piece 11 in this position with the aidof a detent, because a resilient detent disk 1222 of the handle element122 engages a detent protrusion 1103 of the end piece 11 from behind.The operating lever 12 is moved back into the position of rest shown inFIG. 1 by an integrated restoring spring 14, not shown in FIG. 1, whenno downward directed force is exerted on the handle clement 122.

The locking slide 123 of the operating element 1 has an operating slide1230, on its top 1224, which can be displaced on the handle element 122.Such an arrangement offers good dependability of the grip whenmanipulating the operating lever. Also, an operating slide 1230 locatedon the top 1224 of the handle head 122 can be manipulated very easily,for example its different switching positions can be rapidly anddependably set by an operator.

Ergonomics can be further improved if the handle clement 122 inaccordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has a depression 1225 onan exterior, in particular on the top 1224, in which the operating slide1230 is located in a quasi sunk position and can be displaced. It isadvantageous if the operating slide 1230 is as flat as possible, has adepression on the exterior, which can be provided with ribbing.

For activating an integrated switching element 112, the locking slide123 has an additional switching slide 1231 integrated into the handleelement 122. FIG. 2 shows the state in which the switching slide 1231operates the switching bow 1121 of the switching element 112. Theoperating slide 1230 and the switching slide 1231 of the locking slide123 are arranged approximately perpendicularly in relation to thedisplacement direction A-B and are connected with each other via aconnecting column 1236. Finally, the operating lever 12 has integrated aspring element 124, which exert a thrust on the locking slide 123 in thedirection of the first switching position A. In the embodiment of FIG. 2this results in a bias force exerted on the locking slide 123, in thedirection toward the support body 110 of the end piece 11, and inparticular toward the switching bow 1121 of the switching element 112.

What is claimed is:
 1. In an operating element (1) for levering aprinted circuit board module (3) in and out of a support system, theimprovement comprising: an end piece (11) prepared for a connection witha printed circuit board module (3), an operating lever (12) rotatablyseated on the end piece (11) and having at least a handle element (122),a locking slide (123) displaceable between at least two switchingpositions (A, B) and in a first switching position (A) maintains theoperating lever (12) in a first position (C) which corresponds to alevered in state of the printed circuit board module (3) and in a secondswitching position (B) releases the operating lever (12), the lockingslide (123) having an operating slide (1230) which is displaceable onthe handle element (122), the operating slide (1230) displaceable on atop (1224) of the handle element (122), a switching element (122)integrated into the end piece (11) and, for activating the switchingelement (122) in the first switching position (A) the locking slide(123) having a switching slide (1231) integrated into the handle element(122), and the operating slide (1230) and the switching slide (1231) ofthe locking slide (123) arranged perpendicular relative to adisplacement direction (A-B) and connected with each other by aconnecting column (1236).
 2. In the operating element (1) in accordancewith claim 1, wherein on an exterior the handle element (122) has adepression (1225) in which the operating slide (1230) is displaceable.3. In the operating element (1) in accordance with claim 2, wherein theoperating slide (1230) is flat.
 4. In the operating element (1) inaccordance with claim 3, wherein the operating slide (1230) has adepression on the exterior.
 5. In the operating element (1) inaccordance with claim 4, wherein the operating slide (1230) has ribbingon the exterior.
 6. In the operating element (1) in accordance withclaim 5, wherein a switching element (112) is integrated into the endpiece (11), and in the first switching position (A) the locking slide(123) activates the switching element (112).
 7. In the operating element(1) in accordance with claim 6, wherein for activating the switchingelement (112), the locking slide (123) has a switching slide (1231)integrated into the handle element (122).
 8. In the operating element(1) in accordance with claim 7, wherein the operating lever (12) has aspring element (124) which exerts a force on the locking slide (123)which is directed toward the first switching position (A).
 9. In theoperating element (1)in accordance with claim 8, wherein the handleelement (122) has a levering in and levering out element (121) which isat least partially of a wear-resistant material.
 10. In the operatingelement (1) in accordance with claim 9, wherein the levering in andlevering out element (121) has at least one protrusion (1210, 1211) of awear-resistant material.
 11. In the operating element (1) in accordancewith claim 9, wherein the end piece (11), the levering in and leveringout element (121) and the handle element (122) of the operating lever(12) have bores (1105,1212,1223) and are connected with each other viaan inserted rotary shaft (13).
 12. In the operating element (1) inaccordance with claim 10, wherein the handle element (122) of theoperating lever (12) is of a material of plastic.
 13. In the operatingelement (1) in accordance with claim 12, wherein the end piece (11) andthe handle element (122) of the operating lever (12) have bores(1105,1223) and are connected with each other via an inserted rotaryshaft (13).
 14. In the operating element (1) in accordance with claim10, wherein the end piece (11), the levering in and levering out element(121) and the handle element (122) of the operating lever (12) havebores (1105,1212,1223) and are connected with each other via an insertedrotary shaft (13).
 15. In the operating element (1) in accordance withclaim 14, wherein a front system for a printed circuit board module (3),having a front plate (2) and the operating element (1) is attached to anend of the front plate.(2).
 16. In the operating element (1) inaccordance with claim 15, wherein the printed circuit board module hasthe front system.
 17. In the operating element (1) in accordance withclaim 15, further comprising a module support (4) within which theprinted circuit board module (3) having the front system can be leveredin and levered out.
 18. In the operating element (1) in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the operating slide (1230) is flat.
 19. In theoperating element (1) in accordance with claim 18, wherein a switchingelement (122) is integrated into the end piece (11) and, for activatingthe switching element (122) in the first switching position (A) thelocking slide (123) has a switching slide (1231) integrated into thehandle element (122), and the operating slide (1230) and the switchingslide (1231) of the locking slide (123) are arranged perpendicularrelative to the displacement direction (A-B) and are connected with eachother by a connecting column (1236).
 20. In the operating element (1) inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the operating slide (1230) has adepression on the exterior.
 21. In the operating element (1) inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the operating slide (1230) has ribbingon an exterior.
 22. In the operating element (1) in accordance withclaim 1, wherein a switching element (112) is integrated into the endpiece (11), and in the first switching position (A) the locking slide(123) activates the switching element (112).
 23. In the operatingelement (1) in accordance with claim 22, wherein for activating theswitching element (112), the locking slide (123) has a switching slide(1231) integrated into the handle element (122).
 24. In the operatingelement (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the operating lever (12)has a spring element (124) which exerts a force on the locking slide(123) which is directed toward the first switching position (A).
 25. Inthe operating element (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein the handleelement (122) has a levering in and levering out element (121) which isat least partially of a wear-resistant material.
 26. In the operatingelement (1) in accordance with claim 25, wherein the levering in andlevering out element (121) has at least one protrusion (1210, 1211) of awear-resistant material.
 27. In the operating element (1) in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the handle element (122) of the operating lever(12) is of a material of plastic.
 28. In the operating element (1) inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the end piece (11) and the handleelement. (122) of the operating lever(12) have bores (1105,1223) and areconnected with each other via an inserted rotary shaft (13).
 29. In theoperating element (1) in accordance with claim 1, wherein a front systemfor a printed circuit board module (3), having a front plate (2) and theoperating element (1) is attached to an end of the front plant (2). 30.In the operating element (1) in accordance with claim 29, wherein theprinted circuit board module has the front system.
 31. In the operatingelement (1) in accordance with claim 29, further comprising a modulesupport (4) within which the printed circuit board module (3) having thefront system can be levered in and levered out.